PREVIEW: WOLVES V TOWN

Midfielder admits shortcomings last time out against Rotherham, and is looking to bounce back at Wolves

Cole Skuse admits Town are looking to bounce straight back after their disappointing home defeat to Rotherham before the international break.

The Blues now sit four points from the Play-Offs with eight games to play, and will travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux tomorrow with three points firmly in the midfielder’s mind.

“It’s not a massive gap by any stretch, but now the games are narrowing down you need to get the wins and we’ll be going to Wolves with the mind-set of winning the game,” he told Ipswich Player HD.

“Wolves have had a bit of an indifferent season because they would have been looking to finish in the Play-Offs at least at the start of the season.

“They’re a big, well established club and we’re going to go there knowing it’s going to be a tough game because we’re expecting both barrels from them.

“Let’s not beat about the bush, we weren’t at our best [against Rotherham], we were poor. They got a goal and defended it very well, but that’s football, you have to take the rough with the smooth, so we’ll take the next game and bounce back hopefully.”

Team News

Town

David McGoldrick is edging ever closer to his return to first-team action and will travel to Wolverhampton with a view to being involved after recovering from a torn hamstring that has kept him out of action since December. Teddy Bishop may also travel having returned to training, although neither are likely to be ready to start the game. Despite missing Mauritius’ AFCON Qualifier against Rwanda last week through injury, Kevin Bru should be OK to participate after training on Thursday, and Dean Gerken will return having fallen ill prior to Town’s last match against Rotherham. Daryl Murphy [calf] and Ryan Fraser [hamstring] miss out.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Midfielder, James Henry could be in-line return to the Wolves side for the first time since injuring his hamstring in February, Kenny Jackett confirmed. Carl Ikeme will also be fine to take part despite being sent home from the Nigeria side due to illness. Jed Wallace, Mike Williamson, David Edwards and Nouha Dicko remain out.

Wolves twice came from a goal behind to claim a point at Portman Road when these two sides last faced off back in November. Jonathan Douglas opened the scoring with just over a quarter of an hour played with a composed side-footed effort before James Henry levelled things up with under ten minutes to play of the first-half. Daryl Murphy nodded Town back into the lead as he got onto the end of a looped pass from Brett Pitman, although their advantage was short-lived with Benik Afobe heading home an Adam Le Fondre cross to ensure the spoils would be shared.

Key Players

Liam Feeney

The on-loan Bolton man impressed after coming off the bench in the Blues’ last game against Rotherham, and could be in-line to make his first start for the club. In his first interview with Ipswich Player HD, Feeney said he could bring a directness to Town, and that showed against the Millers as he forced a number of corners soon after coming on. It could be a directness that helps replace the similarly threatening, Ryan Fraser who remains out with a hamstring injury suffered in the defeat at QPR in February.

James Henry

Aside from Benik Afobe, who left to join Bournemouth in January, Henry is Wolves’ top scorer this season with seven to his name so far. He has missed his side's last seven league matches through injury, although Kenny Jackett confirmed he would be fit to return tomorrow. As well as his goals, Henry has pitched in with four assists this term, the second highest tally in the Wolves squad, and his attacking threat will certainly be one to look out for at Molineux.